Was the job done right?

When you have someone work on your boat, either a paid technician or a friend or relative, always check when the job is completed that it was done right and to your expectations. You don’t have to know how to do the task yourself, but you should have at least a basic understanding of what needs to be done. It’s important to discuss in detail what you want before the work begins; write it down or have a technician write it on a work order. Ask questions so you will understand what work will and will not be performed. Don’t assume that something will be done if it isn’t written down. When the job is done, ask the person who did the work to show you and explain what he or she did. Before you operate the boat check that whatever was worked on operates properly and any problems were corrected. Check the level of the engine oil and other engine fluids, if those were changed. Sometimes the person forgets to replace the fluid after draining it or puts in too little or too much. Even professional marine technicians or skilled friends or relatives can forget something. Take the time to check before you take the boat out on the water.